A ‘prolific thief’ has been put behind bars after stealing hundreds of pounds worth of goods from six stores across Gedling borough.
Matthew Duffield helped himself to items including chocolates, vapes, coffee, tuna, cheese, and other products during a spree of thefts carried out between September 20, 2023 and January 26, 2024.
Among the shops he targeted were Co-op stores in Netherfield, Burton Joyce, and Arnold.
The 46-year-old, of no fixed address, also stole goods from the Iceland store and the Carlton filling station in Carlton Hill.
The thief also targeted various stores around Notts including businesses in Clifton, Farndon and Sherwood.
Duffield pleaded guilty to the thefts and to a charge of using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour when he entered the Tesco Express store in Oxclose Lane, Arnold, on November 10, 2023.
Staff members told police they were scared for their safety as Duffield shouted abuse at them and was threatening and aggressive towards them.
Duffield, who was arrested on January 28 appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday (29) for sentencing. He was jailed for a total of eight months and ordered to pay £100 compensation.
Police Constable Ben King, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Persistent retail crime offenders like Duffield cause immense misery for hardworking shop staff and their customers.
“As we have repeatedly said, this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated, and we will take robust action to protect retailers and members of the public from the harm caused by thieves who cause a blight on our communities.
“As a force, we also continue to work closely with our partners to identify and tackle the root causes of such offending and to prevent re-offending.
“However, if offenders decide not to choose the right path, don’t take the available help offered to them and are persistent in their criminality, then we will turn to enforcement and put them before the courts to face justice.”
